Driving in the EU

[waddo]

Unusual as it may seem, the BBC has actually reported a bit of news that all those waiting for Brexit to happen may find interesting:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44881058

Just one of the very minor things that will effect the UK and of course all of us abroad that have an EU UK license at this time.

Now just tell me, first that it will never be required, second that the GC's will always let us drive on our UK license in the South and of course that because you never go there it won't ever effect you. Do you really think the UK Government would miss out on a possible gain of £38.5M income by not issuing an IDP?

So there you go, if it happens and you still want to drive in the EU it is a simple process: https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/dr ... ost-office of course if you live here permanently then don't forget you have to pay the air fare to UK and back as well - lol.

Happy Days!!!

[Mr Chinnery]

Waddo,
That’s what might happen.
The thing is if the EU want to charge us Brits money to obtain a IDP then the UK should charge EU drivers to drive in the UK.
In fact if the EU want to charge or make life difficult for Brits I am sure given the right leadership in government us Brits could reciprocate plus some.

[waddo]

Mr Chinnery, if you can get the UK Government to do that I would be surprised but why not? In any case that situation is already dealt with: https://www.tripsavvy.com/international ... uk-1662365 . and: https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/dr ... untry-list gives you a good idea of which way the wind will blow! The point is regarding Cyprus and those currently holding EU UK driving licenses that live here permanently - the RoC knowingly require us to produce our illegal EU/UK driving license to let us drive in the RoC whilst claiming that the TRNC driving license held by non Turkish Cypriots is an illegal document because we are EU citizens. Once we cease to be EU citizens will they then require us to produce our illegal UK driving license as well as an IDP? Remembering that once you have lived outside of the EU/UK for a period exceeding 6 months your license must be changed for one of the country of residence and is no longer valid! Of course when the UK leaves the EU things may change but I doubt it.

Just one of those little things that "Might" happen.

[erol]

Just one of those little things that "Might" happen.

Or will happen in the event of a no deal crash out Brexit.

[jayceebee]

So glad I still have my licences from Zambia, Zimbabwe and Sultanate of Oman!

[PapaBravo]

Thanks Waddo, good info.

[waz-24-7]

Yet another after thought as BREXIT or the "part in" and "part out" latest deal proposal looms closer.
I mentioned this within the referendum discussions of many moons ago.
Certainly the EU and very particularly , the ROC will not want to play ball on the issue.

If you live or visit regularly to the TRNC then travel into the ROC will certainly become more challenging and even risky.

[waddo]

waz,

I think "Interesting" is better than challenging/risky. I also raised the head of this snake months ago but was quickly stomped upon with the answer that the RoC would have to let us in as we are Commonwealth Citizens - oh yeah! I would like to ask if there are any non EU citizens (Not Turkish Cypriot or Turkish) reading this board that have attempted to drive across to the RoC using a TRNC driving license?????? I can not remember if the Green Line regulations specifically state that only Turkish Cypriot citizens are allowed to drive on the TRNC driving license! For sure, once I become a - as the EU like to call it - a Third Country (UK) citizen instead of an EU citizen I will have no chance at all of crossing into the RoC without a valid Visa and unless the EU add the UK driving license to the list of those allowed to drive in the EU I will not be able to drive there either. Back to the good old days!!

[waz-24-7]

WADDO,
Yes indeed,

I need to get a TRNC driving license before next April for sure.
Not sure how an international driving license will be viewed upon in TRNC.

How a UK license will be viewed in the EU is anyone's guess right now.

[Sallywebstersnipples]

That’s it, cancel the British Exit, Waddo says we may need to buy a drivers licence.
If I’d known that I would never have voted to leave :]

[waddo]

You don’t need to buy a drivers license, you should already have one - that subject has been covered well on many threads. Perhaps you are trying to say you will need an IDP to drive in EU countries - just to be sure, an IDP is a Permit not a license and you can only get one if you already have a License. I am not advocating the Brexit be canceled, it is much to late for that, the masses voted and now everyone will live with that decision, regardless of how good or bad it turns out to be. Don’t fret over it, if you visit UK annually then you can get an IDP easily from your post office every year, if you live here permanently then you will pay much more for your IDP annually and buy it on line from the AA/RAC. It’s not a big deal either way but it might become one depending on what deal the EU will offer the UK?

[kerry 6138]

Just announced UK driving licence will be valid for all 27 EU countries no need for International drivers permit.
https://www.express.co.ukJ
Mr Shapps tweeted: "Welcome news for UK drivers. We've now secured agreement with all 27 EU Member States to recognise UK licences WITHOUT the need for an International Drivers Permit.

[Dalartokat]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47459859

You would still need to check

[waddo]

So, it appears that you will be able to drive in the RoC on a UK driving licence without an IDP, good news? Now, what about the requirement to have a GB sticker on your vehicle - presumably because it is a UK registered vehicle? Will owners of TRNC registered vehicles also be allowed to drive in the RoC - bearing in mind the over 70s rule the RoC invented last year that prevented non Cypriots visiting the RoC in their own vehicles from obtaining the permission to drive there form? Then add the 30 day - presumably cumulative - rule as well and things will get even more tricky!

For once I am glad of Covid as of right now nobody can visit the RoC anyway and it may give the RoC time to plan ahead - fat chance - and issue strict EU guidelines on exactly who can drive what, with which licence, for how long and when - lol. Said it before and say it again - interesting times ahead.

[Kanonier]

Always look on the bright side of life!!

[Butterflyaway]

https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/inter ... ing-permit

Guidance
Driving in the EU: UK licence holders living in the EU
Driving licence exchange and rules for driving in EU countries.

Published 31 December 2020
From:
Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Cyprus
You can continue to use your licence without exchanging until 30 June 2021. You are encouraged to exchange your licence within this period otherwise you may need to take a test. If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test.

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Cyprus
You cannot import vehicles through the northern part of Cyprus. The authorities may seize your vehicle.

Cyprus.
You do not need an IDP to drive here for visits up to 30 days. For visits longer than 30 days you will need a 1949 IDP. If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need a 1949 IDP for any length of visit. Check with the High Commission of Cyprus.

[waddo]

Butterflyaway,

"Cyprus
You can continue to use your licence without exchanging until 30 June 2021. You are encouraged to exchange your licence within this period otherwise you may need to take a test. If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test."

That only applies to the RoC and you can not exchange your UK license for a RoC license unless you have lived in the RoC for at least 6 months prior to application. Following which if you move out of the RoC to TRNC then you license is only valid in the RoC for 6 months. You can not take a driving test in the RoC unless you live there either - I have gone all down this route previously and the answer is if you live in "Occupied Territory" then the RoC can make their own rules on driving licenses (That comes direct from the EU by the way) and there is no way around it. Believe me, I have tried!!

The interesting bit - to me anyway - is the little bit about how long you can drive in Cyprus on your existing EU license. It appears that you can only drive there until the 30th of June 2021 BUT it also seems you can drive there for visits up to 30 days. So presumably you could drive there - Covid rules permitting - from the 2nd to the 30th of June 2021but after that you MAY need an IDP anyway.

Just love the ambiguous wording of all these new rules - lol. Why can't they just say - stay away - and be done with it.